Spiritual Med School
For six weeks we have been practicing a “cardiology of the soul” and examining situations and conditions that keep our “spiritual hearts” from fully beating for God (i.e., “heart” in bible refers to the “seat of our emotions” from which we make important decisions in our lives). Like our physical hearts, the condition of “the heart of our spirit” can slowly deteriorate over time due to lack of proper exercise, “feeding” it in unhealthy ways, exposing it to repeated stresses, etc., such that our hearts become bruised and unable to fully respond during times of ultimate need.
It is helpful then, to be aware of the inherent danger of inattention to our souls and to understand the need for spiritual discipline to stay healthy. For example, athletes training for Olympic gold medals expect that their goal will not be reached without great personal to achieve their dreams. Long before the champions are crowned, they must have had a strong commitment in their will. The eventual result of their strongest hopes will have been determined by their initial level of commitment. Their hearts have to fully “burn” for their greatest desires.
Deciding to Make a Decision
On this final week of our “Heart” series, we pray that the “heart concerns” we have examined across these weeks will create incentive for someone near you (or in your own seat) to fully beat for God. In many “call stories” of the Bible, some very ordinary people had their hearts ablaze to follow God. From Abraham’s call to “take up” from Ur and, “Go to the place that I will show you” [Gen 12:1ff], to Jesus’ calls to his initial disciples to leave all and follow, there is a special alignment of forces within and around our hearts that allows them to be used for God’s purposes.
Getting There
When it comes to finding those “all in” for become full followers of God, we are full of potential to, “be more like Jesus.” Saints before us five families” have done things like mortgaging all they have owned to build our sanctuary, as just one example. “Stoking the fire” of the hearts in this generation requires us to continue to dare to dream God-sized dreams for our community, to match the fullness of our own individual “treasures” to those dreams, and to understand each of us have gifts essential for that dream to become fulfilled.
Likewise, followers must make essential choices in our personal lives (Jesus calls it “pruning,” in John 15) to reach our common goals for God. What things might we need to let go of to fully serve God?
When we truly feel the loving gaze of Christ locked onto our hearts and the desire to return the passion of his love, the beginning of a wondrous works begins and the love becomes contagious. From the closing wit of John Wesley: “Catch on fire, and others will love to come watch you burn!”